WILLIAMSBURG — Voters at annual Town Meeting Monday approved to a $65,000 study that will gather critical information for future construction of a 2-mile path through town called the Mill River Greenway.

Voters at Town Meeting, which drew 215 of the town’s 2,013 registered voters, also OK’d the $46,000 purchase of a new police cruiser, $57,820 to buy 34 acres for conservation, and unanimously approved a fiscal 2018 budget of $7,327,118, which is up from current year’s $6,903,464 budget.

The greenway study, dubbed “The Master Route 9 Corridor Survey,” would include an examination of topography, wetland boundaries, right of ways, parcel data and other crucial information necessary for the ongoing planning efforts by the Mill River Greenway Committee.

When constructed, the greenway will be a 10-foot wide shared-use path built along the Mill River. The actual construction of the project is roughly eight years off.

“This article represents the first step towards building The Mill River Greenway,” said Nick Dines, of the Mill River Greenway Committee.

Dines said that the greenway would provide pedestrian connectivity between Williamsburg and Haydenville, access to dedicated fishing, picnic and recreation spots; a safe Route 9 crossing; the stabilization of the Route 9 curve between the two villages; historical timeline information markers; and provide a link to the regional Mass Central Rail Trail.

Dines also said the study would provide survey information on the site of the former Helen E. James School for the purpose of using that location of a public safety facility. It would also help gather information for a new mapping system for the Board of Assessors.

Many at the meeting spoke in favor of the Mill River Greenway, which passed by a comfortable majority. They cited increased safety, enhanced unity of the communities, improved business opportunities and enjoyment and protection of the Mill River.

Also winning wide support was an article seeking to protect the 34 acres of land known as Horse Mountain for the purposes of land and wildlife conservation and the creation of recreational trail. The money will be taken from free cash and be reimbursed by a grant the town expencts to receive.

“The open space committee is very excited about this,” Sally Loomis of the Conservation Committee said. “This will protect important ecological land in town, protect threatened species and it will happen at no cost to the town.”

The Conservation Commission, with the support of the Kestrel Land Trust and the Hilltown Land Trust, received a state Land Grant from the open Space Institute to purchase the property for the purpose of open space and recreation.

The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program recognized this parcel as a priority for rare, threatened and endangered species.

Residents also gave the thumbs-up to buy a 2017 Ford utility police interceptor.

“We have three vehicles in our fleet and they are all on a six-year replacement schedule,” Police Chief Denise Wickland said. “This will replace our current 2012 vehicle, which will likely have 100,000 miles on it by the time we get this new vehicle.”

Wickland said that the 2012 vehicle will be sold at auction by the town after it is replaced.

Voters also approved $16,000 for a new solid waste compactor; $8,604 for a gear washer for firefighter turnout gear; and $5,369 for three Taser units for the Police Department.

The bulk of the fiscal 2018 budget went towards education in the sum of $3,803,844, including $2,006,470 for the local school, $1,367,965 for Hampshire Regional, and $367,744 for vocational education and transportation, and $1,665 for School Committee salaries.

]]>